The Second Annual Doggie Gras Parade and Fat Cat Tuesday Celebration went on without a hitch yesterday on the Helen Woodward Animal Center (HWAC) grounds. Both crowds and canines had so much fun!

Many people and animals of varying ages, races, and breeds attended. There were adoptables from HWAC present, including Beignet, a long-haired Chihuahua, and Gumbo, her gray-haired kitten. Yes, kitten! The pair acted as the Grand Marshalls of the parade.

Alumni and revelers of all ages were able to join in on this one-of-a-kind animal celebration and boy did they have a great time doing so! Helen Woodward Animal Center is so proactive and so progressive that they are continually coming up with events such as this FREE of charge!

At this particular event, there was a Mardi-Gras-style Parade. They handed out beads and partied to the music. Well-behaved pooches in Mardi Gras themed costumes were present. The parade’s “floats” were created from small wagons and pet strollers. Sheep and a mini-horse hoofed their way along the parade route in traditional Barn-ival style.

The Parade concluded at “Bour-bone Street” down in “Cat-on Rouge.” The Center was adorned in traditional purple, green and gold of a typical Mardi Gras celebration. All those that attended were offered non-alcoholic Purr-icanes that they could sip on while their pet or others around them competed for the “Best Dressed Doggie Gras King and Queen. They were also able to munch on traditional Mardi Gras King cakes and cookies. All those that brought their canines had the opportunity to take photos against New Orleans style-backgrounds. It was a lovely celebration to say the least!

All of the festivities took place at the Helen Woodward Animal Center Education Cabana outside the Administration Building at 6523 Helen Woodward Way suite 100, on Center grounds in Rancho Santa Fe, California from 11:00 a.m. until Noon.

If you were not able to attend in person, there is still an opportunity for you to witness all the fun and excitement that took place yesterday. All you need to do is go to http://youtu.be/m4Lff2GW9FM and you can see exactly what you missed!

Hope you enjoy all of the photos attached in the slideshow. If you get an opportunity to check out Helen Woodward Animal Center, you will not be disappointed! They not only offer refuge for orphaned animals, but they have a training facility right on their grounds. They also are continuously offering fun and exciting events for the whole community to enjoy just like this one right here!

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Melissa Stoneburner is the proud parent of a Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier named Quantum Leap, nicknamed Q. Melissa's husband, Kent and their two sons, Reese and Drew live in Illinois. Melissa's an author who initially self-published her first devotional, Love's True Reveal, in 2006. Her first novel, A Little Hope, will be available soon. Melissa helps elementary children publish books and devotes time to children with special needs at St. Michael Church. Email her at MelissaStoneburner@gmail.com.